Rochester drivers should expect road closures and traffic delays due to the Lilac Festival Parade happening on Saturday morning

Rochester, New York – Rochester drivers may want to plan ahead this weekend, as the annual Lilac Festival Parade is expected to bring a number of road closures and traffic disruptions on Saturday, May 10. With thousands of spectators expected to attend the beloved event, city officials have released a motorist advisory to help residents navigate the day smoothly.

The 2025 Rochester Lilac Festival Parade will officially begin at 10:30 a.m., stepping off from the intersection of South Avenue and Science Parkway. From there, the parade will travel north on South Avenue before turning east on Highland Avenue. The route concludes at South Goodman Street, where participants will begin disbanding.

Preparation for the event begins early. Staging will start as early as 8 a.m., with parade participants lining up along Science Parkway and the nearby side streets that branch off South Avenue between Science Parkway and Elmwood Avenue. Due to this activity, traffic along South Avenue in that area will be impacted even before the parade begins.

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Beginning at 9:15 a.m., multiple road closures will go into effect. These include streets between Elmwood Avenue and East Henrietta Road such as Booth Street, Warren Street, Rosemont Street, and Fort Terrace. Elmwood Avenue itself will be closed to general traffic between South Clinton Avenue and Mt. Hope Avenue, though access will still be available for local residents and emergency vehicles.

“No street parking is allowed along the parade route,” officials stressed. Residents and visitors should be sure to move their vehicles ahead of time to avoid towing and ensure the parade can proceed without delays.

The closures are temporary, and city officials say they will work to re-open roads as quickly as possible. “All affected streets will re-open as soon as the final participant moves along the parade route,” the city noted in its advisory.

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For those relying on public transportation, RTS riders are encouraged to check for service changes ahead of time. “RTS riders may call 288-1700 or visit www.RGRTA.com for more information, detour routes,” the advisory stated.

The Rochester Lilac Festival Parade is part of a larger celebration organized by Lilac Festival Inc., a non-profit collaboration between the City of Rochester, Monroe County, and Visit Rochester. The festival itself is one of the city’s most anticipated spring events, drawing large crowds to Highland Park to celebrate the blooming lilacs and enjoy music, food, and community spirit.

For more details about the parade and festival events, the public is invited to visit the official website at www.roclilacfest.com.

With road closures in effect and large crowds expected, drivers are strongly urged to allow for extra travel time, consider alternate routes, and stay alert in the area on Saturday morning.